My son recently deployed to Iraq. I told him that he could be cordial, polite, and friendly with the Iraqi soldiers, but never trust them.
I gave my son the same advice: Always have someone watching your back, be polite and be ready to kill them without hesitating for even a second.
Ironically, when he came home the second time, he sponsored his interpreter for immigration. The “terp came to the US, and joined the Army as soon as he was able. He told my son he loves America and wants to repay us for saving him. Pretty cool.
That’s the same kind of advice I offered my son when he went to Iraq and Afghanistan. It’s based on the experiences of all Vietnam Vets. I never thought when I returned from Vietnam that my sons would someday face similar circumstances requiring them to always watch their back side and view local “friendly” forces with suspicion.